Capsule piercing module

ABSTRACT

A capsule-based beverage production machine that comprises a module designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients which are contained in a capsule. The module comprises: means for retaining the capsule in a fixed position, and means for perforation of the capsule, wherein the perforation means are controlled to perforate the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.12/302,229, filed Jan. 21, 2009, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2007/054421, filed on May 8, 2007,which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 06010718.2,filed on May 24, 2006, the entire contents of which are beingincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field beverages or other liquidcomestibles (soups, of producing etc.) on the basis of ingredients whichare contained in a capsule.

The capsule is inserted into the beverage production module of abeverage production machine (coffee machine, etc.). The module isdesigned to inject a liquid such as for example hot water under pressureinto the capsule in order to have the liquid interact with theingredients contained in the capsule.

Note that some beverage production techniques ask for a pressurizedinjection, others such as e.g. brewing tea can be made at ambientpressure. The invention can find application in both scenarios.

The result of the interaction, i.e. the produced beverage or liquidcomestible is then drained from the capsule and fed to a receptacle suchas e.g. a coffee cup placed below an outlet for the beverage.

SUMMARY

The invention preferably deals with capsules which are inserted into thebeverage production module while being sealed. Therefore, the capsuleshave to be opened both at a fluid inlet side as well as at an outletside after being inserted into the beverage production module.

The invention now targets at a reliable perforation of the capsuleinside the beverage production machine.

This object is achieved by means of the features of the independentclaims. The dependent claims develop further the central idea of thepresent invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method foroperating a beverage production system comprising a beverage productionmodule and a capsule containing ingredients is proposed. The moduleinjects a liquid into the capsule in order to produce a beverage. Themodule comprises at least a first and a cooperating second capsuleengagement member, which first and second operating capsule engagementmember are moved relative to each other.

The method comprises the step of inserting the capsule in the beverageproduction module. Then the first capsule engagement member is movedrelative to the second capsule engagement member position in whichposition by in order to arrive at a relative closing the capsule isretained in a defined being engaged by the first and second engagementmember.

After the capsule is safely retained in the defined position, thecapsule is opened.

The capsule can be retained in the defined position by a clampingengagement of the first and second engagement member.

At least one of the first and second engagement members and perforationmeans are mechanically coupled such that the perforation means open thecapsule after the capsule is retained in the defined position.

At least one of the first and second engagement members and theperforation means actuator can be controlled by a common actuator.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a beverageproduction machine comprising a beverage production module designed forproducing a beverage on the basis of ingredients contained in a capsule.The beverage production module comprises means for retaining the capsulein a defined position.

Opening means are designed to open the capsule while the capsule isretained in the defined position by the retaining means.

The retaining means and the opening means can be mechanically coupledsuch that the opening means open the capsule after the capsule is safelyretained in the fixed position by the retaining means.

The retaining means can comprise a first and a second capsule engagementmember which are supported relatively displaceable to each other suchthat they can immobilize the inserted capsule in the defined position.

The opening means can be perforation means which are functionallyassociated with one of the first and second engagement members anddesigned to be displaced at least partially together with the associatedengagement member.

The retaining means and the opening means (perforation means) can becontrolled by a common manual or electric actuator.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a beverageproduction machine designed for producing a beverage from a capsule. Thebeverage production machine comprises a module with a first capsulemember, which can be displaced relative to a second, cooperating capsuleengagement member between an opened capsule in searching position and aclosed capsule-enclosure position.

The relative displacement is a combined displacement comprising a lineardisplacement when the first and second capsule engagement members areclose together and a swivelling or rotating movement when they aredistanced from each other.

Capsule perforation means can be functionally associated with one of thefirst and the second engagement members such that the perforation meansprotrude into the capsule-enclosure space after the first and secondengagement members have reached the capsule engagement position, and theperforation means are transferred into a retracted position relative tothe associated engagement member during or after the swivellingmovement.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 a-1 c show a sequence for illustrating the transfer from acapsule insertion state, (FIG. 1 a) to a capsule enclosure state (FIG. 1c) and show an actuator mechanism according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention,

FIG. 2 a-2 e show the complete cycle of transferring a beverageproduction module according to the present invention from a capsuleinsertion state (FIG. 2 a) to a capsule enclosure state (FIG. 2 c) andback to the capsule insertion state (FIG. 2 e) and show an actuatormechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a-3 e illustrates beverage production sequence steps for thebeverage production module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 a-4 e show the steps according to the sequence of FIG. 3,however, in a representation illustrating the control and guiding meansfor the relative movements of the first and second engagement member andthe perforation means, respectively, according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 a, 5 b shows an isolated view of the first engagement member andthe control means in the capsule insertion state (FIG. 5 a) and thecapsule engagement state (FIG. 5 b), respectively, according to a firstembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 shows in a sequence of steps from a capsule insertion state (FIG.6 a) to a figure enclosure state (FIG. 6 c) illustrating thepre-fixation of the capsule before being engaged between the first andsecond engagement member,

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c show a sequence illustrating the control and guidingmeans for the relative movements of the first and second engagementmember and the perforation means, respectively, according to a secondembodiment of the present invention,

FIGS. 8 a to 8 c show a perspective view of a beverage production moduleillustrating the sequence of FIGS. 7 a to 7 c,

FIG. 9 shows a beverage production module with an actuator mechanismaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention in theinteimmediate position,

FIG. 10 shows the casing of a beverage production module having anactuator mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention and

FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of the coupling element according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the figures only the beverage production module 2 of abeverage production machine is shown.

Usually the beverage production module 2 is supplied with a liquid at aliquid inlet 14 which can be in fluid connection with means for heatingand/or pressurizing the supplied liquid.

At the outlet side, means for guiding a produced beverage or liquidcomestible to a designated outlet of the beverage production machine isprovided.

The beverage production module 2 as shown in the figures is preferablyhoused in a casing of the beverage production machine such that itassumes an essentially horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 1-4 andFIGS. 7-10, respectively.

Note that other arrangements of the beverage production module 2 areequally possible, although the horizontal arrangement has the advantagethat the insertion of the capsule and the subsequent pre-positioning areassisted by gravity.

FIG. 1 a shows a state of the beverage production module 2 in which acapsule 1 being at least partially filled with ingredients 5 can beinserted from the top through an opening (slot) 8 of a casing 19 of thebeverage production module 2.

FIG. 1 a shows the state in which the capsule 1 has been alreadymanually inserted by a user from the top through the opening 8 into theinterior of the casing 19 of the beverage module 2.

Preferably in the state as shown in FIG. 1 a the capsule 1 is held bypre-fixation means 12 which will be explained later on in detailreferring to FIG. 6.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 a, in this pre-fixation position the capsule 1is preferably held in an essentially vertical orientation, i.e. thesymmetrical axis of the capsule is essentially horizontal.

Other pre-positioning arrangements of the capsule 1 can be thought of inwhich the capsule 1 is held in an orientation which forms a small(acute) angle vis-à-vis the vertical axis.

In the state as shown in FIG. 1 a the capsule is pre-fixed close to asecond engagement member 4 which can comprise means for opening(perforating, etc.) the face of the capsule adjacent to the secondengagement member 4.

The first engagement member 3 is in an opened state, i.e. as controlledby a manual actuator mechanism in the capsule insertion state as shownin FIG. 1 a, the first capsule engaging member 3 is distanced from thesecond engagement member 4, wherein this distance is substantiallylarger than the corresponding dimensions of the capsule 1.

According to a further aspect which will be explained in detail lateron, optionally the first engagement member 3 is not only distanced from,but also slightly rotated vis-à-vis the main plane formed by the secondengagement member 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the first engagement member 3 is providedwith capsule opening means, which can be perforation means such as ahollow needle 6. In FIG. 1 a the perforation means 6 are in a positionin which they are retracted such that they do not protrude into a halfdome formed by a hollow bell member 13 of the first engagement member 3.The hollow bell member 13 has an essentially matching shape to thecontour of the capsule 1.

The rear end of the first engagement member 3 is provided with a liquidsupply 14 which is in fluid connection with the hollow needle(perforation member) 6.

The first engagement member 3 is connected to an actuator mechanism 7.According to a first embodiment the actuator mechanism 7 comprises amanually operable lever handle 9 and the first engagement member 3 isconnected to the lever handle 9 by means of a knee-joint mechanism 11which can preferably comprise several axis 10 and intermediate levers20.

In a second embodiment the first engagement member 3 is connected to amanually operable drawer 34 by means of a coupling element 39 which canpreferably comprise several openings and clearance areas adapted tocooperate with several pins.

The actuator mechanism 7 is designed to control both the displacementsof the first engagement member 3 and the displacements of theperforation member 6. Note that alternatively or additionally anelectric actuator can be used.

By operating the lever handle 9 or the drawer 34 of the actuatormechanism 7, the first engagement member 3 can be transferred into anintermediate stage as shown in FIG. 1 b. The intermediate stage as shownin FIG. 1 b is characterized in that the hollow bell member 13 hasessentially fully engaged the outer contour of the capsule 1, while thehollow needle (perforation member) 6 is still in its retracted positionvis-à-vis the bell member 13 and correspondingly the perforation member6 is not yet interfering with the capsule 1.

Now, when turning the lever handle 9 further in the anti-clockwisedirection, the beverage production module 2 can be transferred from theintermediate stage as shown in FIG. 1 b to a final closure state asshown in FIG. 1 c. The final closure state as shown in FIG. 1 c ischaracterized in that the hollow bell member 13 still fully engages thecapsule 1, however, also mechanically controlled by manipulating theactuator mechanism 7, the perforation member 6 has been actively pushedfrom its retracted position (FIG. 1 a, 1 b) to a protruding position asshown in FIG. 1 c.

By being actively moved from the retracted position to the protrudingposition as shown in FIG. 1 c, the perforation member 6 will perforatethe associated face of the capsule 1 and will at least partiallyprotrude into the interior of the capsule 1.

In this state the liquid supplied to the liquid supply 14 of the firstengagement member 3 can be injected into the interior of capsule 1through the perforation member 6. Thus, in the state as shown in FIG. 1c the injected liquid can be made to interact with the ingredients ofthe capsule 1 in order to produce a beverage or another liquidcomestible.

During the transition from the capsule insertion state of FIG. 1 a tothe final closure state as shown in FIG. 1 c, the first capsuleengagement member 3 has been moved along a composite trajectoryvis-à-vis the second engagement member 4. The composite trajectorypreferably comprises a rotational movement at the beginning in order toalign the front contour 21 of the first engagement member 3 with thevertical plane of the second engagement member 4.

Both in the intermediate stages shown in FIG. 1 b and the final closurestate as shown in FIG. 1 c the capsule 1 is held safely in a definedposition by having a flange-like rim portion of the capsule 1 beingclamped between the rim of the front contour 21 of the first engagementmember 3 and in associated clamping surface 23 of the second engagementmember 4.

In other words, according to one aspect of invention, the capsule 1finds itself already the present in a defined perforation positionbefore the perforation member 16 will start its opening or perorationaction on the associated wall of the capsule 1. Therefore, when theperforation member 6 will perforate the associated wall of the capsule 1this can be done with a high precision as the capsule 1 is not movingrelative to the main elements of the beverage production module 2 whenit encounters the opening action of the perforation member 6. This leadsto a higher position of the opening action and preferably both thelocation and the timing of the opening can be finely adjusted.

Preferably the perforation position of the capsule 1 also corresponds tothe beverage production position in which the liquid is injected intothe capsule 1.

The cooperation of the first and second engagement members 3, 4 in theperforation and beverage production position is such that the capsule 1is contained in a pressure tight manner in a space defined by the hollowbell member 13 of the first engagement member 3 on the one hand and thesecond engagement member 4 on the other hand. Thus, liquid injected intothe interior of the capsule 1 under pressure can only flow through thecapsule 1, but can not leak outside the capsule walls. Preferably thesealing engagement occurs at the flange-like rim of the capsule pinchedbetween the first and second engagement members 3, 4.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c essentially show the same transition from the capsuleinsertion state of the beverage production module 2 to the final closurestate of FIG. 2 c, which is only also the beverage production state ofthe beverage production module 2.

After the end of the beverage production, the actuator means 7 can againbe manually and/or electrically operated in order to transfer thebeverage production module 2 back to the opened capsule insertion state(FIG. 2 e).

However, according to the invention, the transition from the beverageproduction state (FIG. 2 c) to the capsule insertion state according toFIG. 2 e is not simply a reversal of the closing movement, i.e. thetransfer of FIG. 2 a to FIG. 2 c.

As it is shown in FIG. 2 d and FIG. 2 e, when manually moving the leverhandle 9 of the actuator mechanism 7 in the clockwise direction of theembodiment of FIG. 2, in a first step the first engagement member 3 islinearly retracted and distanced from the second engagement member 4•

Likewise, a movement of the drawer 34 in a direction away from thebeverage production module 2 causes the first engagement member 3 to belinearly retracted and distanced from the second engagement member 4.

Essentially due to the friction between the perforation member 6 and thesurrounding walls of the opening in the capsule 1 the perforation member6 remains in the protruded state and thus holds the capsule 1 in thehollow bell member 13 of the first engagement member 3 when the firstengagement member 3 is transferred to the intermediate state as shown inFIG. 2 d.

This holding-back function of the perforation member 6 of the firstengagement member 3 thus leads to a separation of the capsule 1 from thesecond capsule engagement member 4.

Starting from the intermediate state as shown in FIG. 2 d the firstengagement member 3 is controlled to carry out a swivelling movement.During the final transition to the capsule insertion state as shown inFIG. 2 e the perforation member 6 is finally made to be retracted fromthe hollow bell member 13. The capsule 1 which has been hithertoretained by the frictional engagement with the perforation member 6,will drop from the first capsule engagement member 3 and will bedischarged from the beverage module 2 through a opening 24 at the lowerside of the beverage production module 2.

Thus, the swivelling movement at the end of the trajectory of the firstcapsule engagement member 3 facilitates the discharge of the capsule 1in the retracted position e.g. towards a waste container placed insidethe beverage production machine and below the beverage production module2.

While FIG. 2 in the above explanation mainly serve to illustrate thefunctionality of the present invention, further implementation detailsaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention will now beexplained with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the actuator mechanism 7 comprises alever handle 9 acting on a knee-joint mechanism 11, wherein theextremity of the actuator mechanism 7 being at the opposite end of thelever handle 9 comprises a first control curve 17.

This first control curve 17 cooperates with a guiding pin 16 which isfixed to a U-shaped support member 25 which in its centre portionsupports the perforation member 6 and the fluid supply 14.

Each of the two outer legs 26 of the U-shaped support member 25 arerespectively provided with a guiding pin 16.

The U-shaped support member 25 can be linearly displaced vis-à-vis thebell-shaped member 13 by having a further control pin 27 cooperate withan axial slot 28 respectively provided at each of the side surfaces ofthe hollow bell member 13.

Therefore, the cooperation of the first guiding curve 17 with theguiding pin 16 is designed to selectively displace the first engagementmember 3, comprising essentially the U-shaped support member 25 and theattached perforation member 6 as well as the bell-shaped member 13. Onthe other hand, the guiding curve 17 is designed to selectively controla relative displacement of the U-shaped support member 25 vis-à-vis thedome member 13 and thus a displacement of the perforation member 6attached to the U-shaped support member 25 vis-à-vis the dome-shapedmember 13.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first guiding curve 17 isessentially composed of a first linear section 29 and a second linearsection 30, being shorter than the first linear section 29 and formingan obtuse angle vis-à-vis the first linear section 29.

When starting from the capsule insertion position (FIG. 3 a, 4 a), theguiding pin 16 is made to cooperate with the first linear section 29which is designed to linearly and integrally displace the firstengagement member 3.

On the other hand, in the final phase, i.e. when the first engagementmember 3 approaches the beverage production state (transition from FIGS.3 b to 3 c, 4 b to 4 c), the guiding pin 16 is made to cooperate withthe second linear section 30 of the guiding curve 17. This second linearsection 30 is designed to essentially control a relative displacement ofthe U-shaped support member 25 and the fixedly attached perforationmember 6 vis-à-vis the dome ship member 13.

Therefore, it is due to this specific design of the guiding curve 17(having at least two different sections) that (cooperation with thefirst linear segment 29) the capsule is held in a defined positionbefore (cooperation with the second linear segment 30) the perforationmember 6 is made to open the capsule.

Other functional couplings between the motion control of the perforatingmeans and at least one of the engagement members can be thought of whichalso guarantee a immobilisation of the capsule in the perforationposition before it is perforated at its liquid inlet face.

As can be seen particularly from FIGS. 3 d, 4 a, c, d and e, the guidingpin 16 is not only made to cooperate with the first guiding curve 17(being part of the actuator mechanism 7), but also with a second guidingcurve 18 provided in the lateral walls of the casing 19 of the beverageproduction module 2.

As can be seen from the figures, also the second guiding curve 18 iscomposed of at least two different segments, such as for example anessentially horizontal linear segment 21 and an inclined linear segment20 being raised to the rear end of the module.

Due to the cooperation of the guiding pin 16 with this particular designof the second guiding curve 18, the first engagement member 3 carriesout an essentially linear relative movement vis-à-vis the secondengagement member 4 when the first and the second engagement member areclose together, while the upwards inclined second linear segment 20 ofthe control curve 18 results in the swivelling movement of the firstengagement member 3 such that the half dome defined by the bell member13 is rotated slightly downwards, as it is illustrated in FIG. 3 e.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a to 7 c, the actuator mechanism 7 of the secondembodiment comprises a drawer 34 acting on a coupling element 39 whichin turn is coupled to the guiding pin 16 of the first engagement member3.

The drawer 34 is adapted to be manually operated by a user. When movingthe drawer 34, the movement via the coupling element 39 will betransferred to the pin 16 of the first engagement member so that byoperating the drawer 34 the capsule is transferred from the capsuleinsertion state to the engagement state. With a reverse movement of thedrawer 34 the capsule 1 is liberated from the engagement state and canbe discharged.

The drawer 34 is attached to one side of the casing 19. As shown inFIGS. 7 a to 7 c the drawer is attached to the top of the casing 19. Thedrawer 34 hereby is attached moveably to the casing 19, so that thedrawer 34 can be moved in a direction parallel to the side of the casing19 to which it is attached.

The drawer 34 cooperates with one end of the coupling element 39 so thatthe movement of the drawer 34 is transferred to the coupling element 39.The other end of the coupling element 39 cooperates with the pin 16 ofthe first engagement member 3 so that in turn the movement of thecoupling element 39 is transferred to the guiding pin 16 and thereby tothe first engagement member 3.

The drawer 34 is a substantially flat element covering at leastpartially the side of the casing 19 to which it is moveably attached.The casing 19 hereby provides a guiding bar 35 for enabling the movementof the drawer 34 and at the same time limiting the movement of thedrawer 34 in a direction parallel to the side of the casing 19 to whichthe drawer 34 is attached.

On each side of the drawer 34 a drawer pin 37 is provided. This drawerpin 37 slides within a bar opening 36 provided on both sides of thedrawer 34 within the guiding bar 35. Alternatively, the guiding bar 35and the bar opening 36 can be separated so that the guiding bar 35extends along the whole side of the casing 19 and the bar opening isprovided beyond or above the guiding bar 35.

When moving the drawer 34 the drawer pin 37 slides along the bar opening36 and the drawer pin 37 is further provided to operate with a hole 52at one end of the coupling element.

Thereby, when moving the drawer 34 one end of the coupling element 39executes a movement parallel to the movement of the drawer 34 and alongthe side of the casing 19.

FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of the coupling element 39 according tothe second embodiment of the present invention. The coupling element 39has a substantially longitudinal shape and substantially comprises towsections, namely a first coupling element section 50 and a secondcoupling element section 51. The second section 51 is shorter in lengththan the first section 50 and forms an obtuse angle with the firstsection 50.

At the end of the first section 50 a hole 52 is provided for cooperatingwith the drawer pin 37. Two further longitudinal openings are providedin the coupling element 39 which form a first guiding curve 41 and asecond guiding curve 44.

The second guiding curve 44 extends over the whole second section 51 andover a part of the first section 50. Thereby the second guiding curve 44comprises a first linear section 42 along the second section 51 of thecoupling element 39 and a second linear section 43 along a part of thefirst section 50 of the coupling element, said first and second linearsection 42, 43 forming an obtuse angle.

Along the first section 50 between the hole 52 and the second guidingcurve 44 the first guiding curve 41 is provided which extends partiallyover the first section 50.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 the detailed functionality of theactuator mechanism according to the second embodiment will now furtherbe explained.

A fixed pin 40 is provided on the casing 19 and fixedly attached to thecasing 19. The fixed pin 40 operates with the first guiding curve 41 ofthe coupling element 39.

The first guiding curve 41 cooperating with the fixed pin 40 has anelongated shape. The fixed pin serves substantially as a centre ofrotation of the coupling element 39. Due to the elongated shape of thefirst guiding curve 41 in addition to the rotational movement of thecoupling element 39 around the fixed pin 40 a slight lateral movement ispossible. The lateral movement and the rotational movement therebysuperimpose.

Thereby, when moving the drawer 34 the coupling element 39 executes asubstantially rotating movement around the fixed pin 40.

The second guiding curve 44 is made to cooperate with the guiding pin 16of the first engagement member 3. Thereby, when moving the drawer 34 ina first direction caused by the substantially rotational movement of thecoupling element 39 around the fixed pin 40, the guiding pin 16, ismoved in a second direction due to the cooperation with the secondguiding curve 44. This second direction is substantially an oppositedirection to the first movement direction of the drawer 34.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 the second guiding curve 44 isessentially composed of a first linear section 42 and a second linearsection 43, being shorter than the first linear section 42 and formingan obtuse angle vis-à-vis the first linear section 42.

When starting from the capsule insertion position FIGS. 7 a and 8 a, theguiding pin 16 is made to cooperate with the first linear section 42which is designed to linearly and integrally displace the firstengagement member 3.

On the other hand, in the final phase, i.e. when the first engagementmember 3 approaches the beverage production state (transition from FIGS.7 b to 7 c and 8 b to 8 c), the guiding pin 16 is made to cooperate withthe second linear section 43 of the second guiding curve 44. The secondlinear section 43 is designed to essentially control a relativedisplacement of the U-shaped support member 25 and the fixedly attachedperforation member 6 vis-à-vis the dome shaped member 13.

In addition to the cooperation with the second guiding curve 44 inaccordance with the first embodiment, the guiding pin 16 is alsodesigned to cooperate with the second control curve 18 provided in thelateral walls of the casing of the beverage production module 2.

With reference to FIGS. 8 a to 8 c further details of the secondembodiment will now be explained. The drawer 34 comprises a holdingelement 48 adapted to be gripped by a user who wants to manually operatethe drawer 34. The holding element 48 further serves for stopping themovement of the drawer 34 when the drawer is moved from the capsuleinsertion state to the capsule engagement state. The holding element 48is herefor formed as a plate attached to the drawer 34 forming asubstantially rectangular angle with the sliding part of the drawer 34.

The drawer 34 in addition comprises a capsule insertion slot 38 whichenables the insertion of a capsule. FIG. 8 a shows the beverageproduction module 2 in the capsule insertion state. In this state thedrawer 34 has been moved into a direction away from the beverageproduction module so that a significant part of the drawer 34 protrudesthe casing 19. The movement in a direction away from the casing 19 isstopped by the drawer pin 37 when reaching the end of the bar opening36. In this capsule insertion state the capsule insertion slot 38 of thedrawer 34 is placed above and in alignment with the capsule insertionslot 8 of the beverage production module 2 so that a capsule 1 can beinserted.

For moving the first engagement member 3 towards the second engagementmember 4 the drawer 34 has to be pushed in a direction towards thebeverage production module 2. The drawer pin 37 thereby cooperates withthe coupling element 39 which in turn executes a substantiallyrotational movement around the fixed pin 40 and thereby cooperates withthe guiding pin 16 so that the first engagement member 3 is movedtowards the second engagement member 4.

In the capsule engagement state as shown in FIG. 8 c the drawer 34 issubstantially in alignment with the casing 19 and only the holdingelement 48 of the drawer 34 protrudes the casing 19.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8 a to 8 c the drawer 34 is guided along aguiding bar 35 provided on both sides of the drawer 34. As the holdingelement 48 has a shape that is greater than the guiding bar 35 themovement of the drawer 34 is stopped by the holding element 48. Further,a recess 49 in the guiding bar 35 may be provided to house the holdingelement 48 or parts of the holding element 48 when the drawer 34 ispushed in direction of the casing 19.

Alternatively, instead of stopping the movement of the drawer 34 by theholding element 48, the movement of the drawer 34 in both directions maybe stopped by the drawer pin 37 when reaching the ends of the baropening 36, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9 the interior functions of the beverage productionmodule 2 according to the second embodiment correspond to the interiorfunctions and movements of the beverage production module according tothe first embodiment. With movement of the drawer 34 the couplingelement 39 operates with the guiding pin 16 in a way, that the firstengagement member 3 is moved towards the second engagement member 4 inorder to clamp the capsule 1 and in the capsule engagement step then theperforation member 6 will perforate the capsule.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a to 7 c and 8 a to 8 c, knobs 45 are attached tothe casing 19. The knobs 45 hereby serve for attaching a cover 46 to thecasing 19. As shown in FIG. 10 a cover 46 is attached to the knobs 45.The cover 46 hereby extends over those parts of the casing where movingelements are provided. Specifically, the cover 46 extends over the partof the casing 19 where the coupling element 39 is provided and inaddition extends over a part of the top of the casing 19 where thedrawer 34 is moving. The cover 46 hereby in any case is not extendingover the capsule insertion slot 8 of the casing in order to allow theinsertion of a capsule. The cover 46 in addition may comprise a coverextension 47 which extends along the lateral side of the casing 19 andcovers the linear part 21 of the second control curve 18.

Other mechanical or electric implementations can be thought of forguaranteeing a composite trajectory of the first engagement member suchthat in and close to the beverage production state the two engagementmembers 3, 4 are moved in a linear relative trajectory, while they aremoved relative to each other in a different trajectory (different anglean/or curvature) when distanced from each other.

With reference to FIGS. 6 a to 6 c now a further aspect of the presentinvention will be explained.

According to this aspect the capsule 1 is pre-positioned by pre-fixationmeans, such as for example flexible capsule pre-fixation arms 12. Whenseen from above (FIG. 6) the arms 12 are provided at the lateral sidesof the capsule.

The flexible arms 12 respectively present a vertical groove 31 made toengage with the rim of the capsule 1.

Therefore, when the capsule 1 is inserted manually by a user from thetop of the beverage production module, it will be initiallypre-positioned and held in place by the flexible arms 12. Note that thispre-fixation position as shown in FIG. 6 is not the same position as thefinal beverage production position (FIG. 6 c).

Actually, when the first engagement member 3 is made to approach thesecond engagement member 4, the front side of the bell-shaped member 13of the first engagement member 3 will push against the rim of thecapsule I, will make the capsule leave the pre-fixation position in thevertical grooves 31 and will displace (push) the capsule 1 to the finalbeverage production position as shown in FIG. 6 c.

To this regard means can be provided to actively disengage the rim ofthe capsule 1 with the pre-fixation means (flexible arms) 12. As shownparticularly in FIG. 6 b, the first engagement member 3 can beoperatively connected to disengagement means 32 which cooperate with aslanted surface 33 of the flexible arms 12 in order to push the flexiblearms 12 to the outside and thus to disengage the vertical grooves 31 ofthe flexible arms 12 from the rim of the capsule 1.

Thus, when the front surface of the bell-shaped member 13 of the firstengagement member 3 is taking over the positioning of the capsule 1, thecapsule 1 is made to be disengaged from the flexible arms 12 serving asprefixation means.

In the beverage production position as shown in FIG. 6 c, the rim of thecapsule 1 is pushed behind the grooves 31 of the flexible arms 12.

Now, when after completion of the beverage production the firstengagement member 3 is moved rearwards (to the top in FIG. 6) and thecapsule 1 is only held by a frictional engagement of the perforationmember 6, the disengagement member 32 of the first engagement member 3will again cooperate with specifically designed surfaces of flexiblearms 12 in order to spread these arms 12 and thus have the capsule 1pass these arms 12 without being engaged by the arms 12.

To summarize, where the design as shown in FIG. 6 the capsule 1 can bepre-positioned in a position which is horizontally offset from thebeverage production position. The capsule 1 is pre-positioned in thisposition until the front surfaces of the bell-shaped member 13 engagesthe rim of the capsule 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 Capsule    -   2 Beverage production module    -   3 1st engagement member    -   4 2nd engagement member    -   5 ingredients    -   6 perforation member    -   7 actuator mechanism    -   8 capsule insertion slot of (2)    -   9 lever handle    -   10 axis    -   11 knee joint mechanism    -   12 capsule pre-fixation arms    -   13 bell-shaped dome of (3)    -   14 fluid supply for (6)    -   15 Coupling of (3) and (6)    -   16 Guiding pin    -   17 1st Control curve    -   18 2nd Control curve, arranged in (19)    -   19 Casing of (2)    -   20 Rotation part of (18)    -   21 Linear part of (18)    -   22 Flange-like rim of (1)    -   23 Holding flange of (4)    -   24 Discharge opening of (19)    -   25 U-shaped support member    -   26 Legs of (25)    -   27 Guiding pin    -   28 Axial slots in (13)    -   29 1st linear section of (17)    -   30 2nd linear section of (17)    -   31 groove of (12)    -   32 disengagement member    -   33 slanted surface of (12)    -   34 drawer    -   35 guiding bar    -   36 bar opening    -   37 drawer pin    -   38 capsule insertion slot in (34)    -   39 coupling element    -   40 fixed pin    -   41 first guiding curve    -   42 first linear section of (44)    -   43 second linear section of (44)    -   44 second guiding curve    -   45 knob    -   46 cover    -   47 cover extension    -   48 holding element    -   49 recess    -   50 first coupling element section    -   51 second coupling element section    -   52 hole 52

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A method for operating abeverage production system comprising a module and a capsule containingingredients, wherein the module injects a liquid into the capsule toproduce a beverage, and wherein the module comprises at least a firstcapsule engagement member and a co-operating second engagement membercomprising the steps: a.) inserting the capsule in the beverageproduction module; b.) moving the first capsule engagement memberrelative to the second capsule engagement member into a closingposition, in which the capsule is fixedly held in position by anengagement with an at least partially conformal part of one of the firstor second engagement member; and c.) after the capsule is held inposition by the conformal part in step b.), opening the capsule using aperforation member.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein theperforation member is placed in a position selected from the groupconsisting of inside and outside the capsule.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the beverage production is performed while the capsuleis still held in position by the conformal part step c.).
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the capsule is pre-positioned in a definedmanner before it is engaged by the first and second engagement members,and the pre-position is different than the defined opening position instep c.).
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the firstand second engagement members and perforation member are mechanicallycoupled such that the perforation means open the capsule after thecapsule is retained in the defined position.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second engagement membersand the perforation member are controlled by a common actuator.
 7. Amethod for operating a system for producing a beverage comprising amodule and a capsule containing ingredients wherein the module injects aliquid into the capsule in order to produce a beverage, and wherein themodule comprises at least a first capsule engagement member and aco-operating second, the method comprising the following steps:inserting a capsule containing beverage ingredients into a beverageproduct module, and moving a first capsule engagement member relative toa second capsule engagement member wherein the capsule is fixedly heldin position by engagement with a part of one of the first or secondengagement member; and after the capsule is held in position, openingthe capsule by a perforation member.